Definition of impotence
: the quality or state of being impotent: such asa : lack of power, strength, or vigor : weakness … the growing impotence of governments in the face of corporate willfulness and regional factionalism. — Alan Wexelblatb : an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection : erectile dysfunction
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of impotence in a Sentence
the congressional committee's essential impotence in affecting the management of the war was frustrating to its members
Recent Examples of impotence from the Web
-
Treatments — surgery, radiation or hormone therapy — can cause impotence, incontinence, infections and other problems, and sometimes do more harm than the disease ever would.
-
Pundits of the composer’s era seesawed between seriously believing that coffee could stir male sexuality or cause impotence.
-
Also, most of us have felt the horrible sensation of impotence in front of somebody who is very powerful and very entitled and who is completely unconscious about anything or anyone that doesn’t serve their interests.
-
On the left, Clinton's defeat in the general election -- after being hand-delivered, as many still believe, the nomination by the DNC -- is held up as evidence of the liberal establishment's corruption and impotence.
-
Erbeck’s sense of impotence grew as the trial progressed.
-
In an age of heightened awareness, such impotence tends to be magnified.
-
For the Panther 21, being found not guilty seems to have brought a more damning verdict of triviality, of impotence.
-
The resurgence in demand for tiger bone wine in particular, which is believed to cure rheumatism and impotence, has helped drive the success of these farms.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impotence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of impotence
15th century
IMPOTENCE Defined for Kids
impotence
playDefinition of impotence for Students
: the quality or state of lacking power or strength
Medical Dictionary
impotence
playMedical Definition of impotence
1: the quality or state of not being potent drug-resistant bacteria are a virulent indicator of the growing impotence of antibiotics
2: an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to engage in sexual intercourse because of failure to have or maintain an erection—called also erectile dysfunction
Learn More about impotence
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impotence Spanish Central: Translation of impotence Nglish: Translation of impotence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of impotence for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about impotence
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up impotence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!